Woldu and Kimaiyo take the honours in hot conditions at thetRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj

Hot conditions blunt times but not competition at tRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj

French marathon record holder Mekdes Woldu and emerging Kenyan talent Cyrus Kimaiyo claimed convincing victories at the tRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj, powered by Joma, on Sunday, prevailing in challenging summer conditions in Romania’s second city.

Woldu won the women’s race in 32:21 after a captivating tactical battle over the final kilometre, while Kimaiyo secured the men’s title in 28:22 after breaking away from compatriot Moses Cheruiyot in the closing stages.

With temperatures hovering around 24 C at the start, fast times quickly became secondary to racing instincts.

For Woldu, the victory represented another strong performance following her 30:56 clocking in Langueux, France, two weeks earlier.

“I knew I was in good shape after running 30:56 two weeks ago, but I soon realized that fast times were not going to be possible because it was so hot at the start,” said Woldu.

“However, the heat came as no surprise. It’s been hot everywhere in Europe this week, and I just wanted another good race, so I’m pleased.”

The French athlete had originally arrived in Cluj with hopes of attacking the French 10-kilometre record of 30:52, set by Cassandre Beaugrand in April, after narrowly missing the mark earlier this month. Instead, the race evolved into one of patience, positioning and tactical awareness.

Woldu, Uganda’s world cross-country silver medallist Joy Cheptoyek and Ethiopian newcomer Meselech Alemayehu quickly established themselves at the front, accompanied by Kenya’s 2021 World Under-20 3,000-metre steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech. The leaders passed 3 km in 9:32 and reached halfway in 16:08 after Chepkoech began to fade.

As the race entered its decisive phase, Woldu moved to the front and controlled the tempo. The measured pace allowed French compatriot Ines Hamoudi and Irish athletes Fiona Everard and Niamh Allen to reconnect, briefly forming a lead group of six.

They passed 8 km in 26:06 before Woldu gradually increased the pressure.

Everard, Allen and Hamoudi were eventually dropped, leaving Woldu, Cheptoyek and Alemayehu to contest the victory. Entering Cluj Arena together, the Frenchwoman found another gear over the final 100 metres to secure the win.

Cheptoyek received the same official time of 32:21, finishing less than half a second behind, while Alemayehu, making her European debut, crossed one second later.

If the women’s race became an exercise in tactical patience, the men’s contest developed into a demonstration of controlled aggression.

Kimaiyo, Cheruiyot and France’s Mehdi Frère passed 5 km together in 14:04, appearing poised for a three-man battle. However, shortly after halfway, Frère — who had run a personal best of 27:44 in Langueux two weeks earlier — began to struggle, leaving the two Kenyans alone at the front.

Approaching 8 km, Cheruiyot began to show signs of fatigue. Kimaiyo responded immediately, surging clear with authority and quickly establishing a decisive advantage.

The Kenyan maintained his momentum to claim the most significant victory of his career in 28:22.

Cheruiyot finished second in 28:51, while Frère rallied strongly over the final two kilometres, reducing the deficit by 10 seconds but ultimately running out of road. The Frenchman crossed the line in third in 28:55.

Although the warm conditions denied the athletes the possibility of record performances, the racing itself proved compelling. On a four-lap circuit through the heart of Cluj-Napoca, both elite races were decided not by the clock, but by judgment, patience and the ability to respond when the decisive moment arrived.

Results

Men

Women